Bill Extends Time For Child Sex Abuse Victims To Report

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California lawmakers have approved legislation that would extend the amount of time victims of childhood sexual abuse have to come forward.

SB926 by Sen. Jim Beall would give victims until age 40 to report alleged abuse they suffered as a child. The current statute of limitations is age 28.

Beall, a Democrat from San Jose, says the current law favors abusers who can simply “wait out the clock” to avoid being prosecuted. He says many child sexual assault victims suppress the memories and do not recall their abuse until years later.

The bill passed the Assembly on a 33-0 vote Tuesday and now heads to the Senate.